My Saint: St.

Cecilia

Why I Chose this Saint:

I initially chose this Saint because she is the Patron Saint of Musicians, and I love music,
especially singing. In fact, I even want to pursue it as a career when I grow up. I wanted to
choose somebody whom I could look to for guidance in the regards of what is and will always be
a very relevant and honest part of my life- music! After learning about the story of St. Cecilia,
I’ve realized how inspirational her story is and have fallen even more in love with her. I love
how she was so faithful to God that she took a vow of virginity just so He could be her priority.
Abstinence until marriage is something that is very important to me, and considering that she
was a virgin for her whole life, I feel she would be good to look to in moments of temptation.
She also reminds me that I can rely on my guardian angel from time to time and ask for their
help as well, which is a concept I’ve been deeply fascinated by ever since first grade. I also love
how she was so protected by God that her murder was almost frustrating to that of the prefect
and his laborers. In conclusion, I chose her because I love her story as well as what she stands
for.

Information:

● What’s interesting to you about their life?

○ Her name is also Cecily
○ She took a vow of virginity, but was still married off by her rich parents
■ Sung to God in her heart (during ceremony)
○ Had an angel protecting her
○ She was able to convince her husband (Valerian) to be baptized
■ Told Valerian that he would have eyes to see once he went to the third
milestone on the Appian Way
● Was baptized and came back to wife with an angel next to her and
a crown of roses and lilies
○ His brother, Tiburtius, heard about this and was baptized too
○ The two brother then “dedicated their lives to burying the saints who were
murdered each day by the prefect of the city, Turcius Almachius.”
○ Cecilia would preach to people while they did this and would confront over 400 in
her lifetime, most of whom would end up baptized by Pope Urban
○ Brothers were arrested and executed by prefect
○ Cecilia was arrested and condemned to suffocating baths
■ Shut in for one night and one day
 ■ Fires = really high heats, but she was fine
○ Ordered to be executed
○ Struck by knife three times, but only left her bleeding for three days until she died
■ Preached for those three days
● What was the turning point in their life that led them down a path toward sainthood?
○ She has always been faithful, but when she truly dedicated her life to God was
when she got married, as she told
● What are they known for?
○ She was married off by her rich family, but took a vow of virginity.
○ Patron saint of musicians = sung to God in her heart
○ One of the most famous Roman martyrs
○ First incorrupt saint body to be found/exist
● Are they a patron saint? If so, what for?
○ Yes, she is the patron saint of musicians.
○ “St. Cecilia is regarded as the patroness of music, because she heard heavenly
music in her heart when she was married, and is represented in art with an organ
or organ-pipes in her hand.”
● When is his/her feast day?
○ November 22
● Is there a prayer they are known for or one that people say to seek intercession from this
saint?
○ There is a very well-known Novena that asks God to help us be more like her and
to have her levels of faithfulness and praise Him in song the way she did.
○ There’s also many different versions of this (general) common prayer:

Prayer to Saint Cecilia

O glorious St. Cecilia, virgin and

martyr, you won the martyr's crown
without renouncing your love for
Jesus, the delight of your soul. We
ask that you help us to be faithful in
our love for Jesus, that, in the
communion of the saints, we may
praise Him twice in our song of
rejoicing for the Blood that He shed
which gave us the grace to accomplish
His will on earth.
 Amen.
● Where are they from?
○ Rome, Italy (born) and Sicily, Italy (died)
■ There’s a church built in Rome in dedication to her. It has been there since
the fifth century.
● When were they born?
○ 200 AD
● When did they die?
○ November 22, 230 AD
● Is there anything unusual or remarkable about this saint’s life?
○ Vow of virginity
■ Led to her always having a physical guardian angel that protected her for
all touch/harm (that could sometimes be reportedly seen)
○ Being tortured but not affected (until the third day, but she was not nearly as
affected as a normal human would be)
■ Martyr
○ First incorrupt Saint body to be found
○ " ‘mysterious and delightful flower-like odor which proceeded from the coffin.’ "
● How did this saint live the gospel?
○ Always prayerful
○ Always preached, even when it was dangerous and she was in the worst scenarios
○ Always faithful and kept her vows to herself as well as God
● Why do you think this saint was canonized?
○ Martyred - basically tortured to death (attempted, anyway)
○ Not immediately dying when she was being suffocated or struck
○ Most famous Roman martyr
○ First incorrupt Saint body found
○ Always preached and practiced what she preached
○ Put God before herself and sacrificed a lot for Him, such as intercourse, a proper
and official Catholic marriage, and even her life
○ Praised God through song of heart (brought even more musical praises into the
Catholic faith)
○ Converted many
● What challenges did they face?
○ Being forced into marriage by her rich parents even though she vowed to be a
virgin and dedicate her life to God
○ Being Catholic and proclaiming the faith in a time where it wasn’t accepted
(especially in Rome) and you could even get killed for it
○ Having her husband and brother-in-law killed
 ○ Bleeding out for 3 days
■ Being tortured to death
● What qualities does this saint possess that you like?
○ Close to God
○ Prayerful
○ Faithful
○ Persistent and determined to spread the word
○ Patient and understanding of those who took longer to truly hear the word as well
as of her murderers
○ Selfless, as she always put God before her

Prayer Card:
https://www.holyspiritwichita.com/teachers/music/224-st-cecelia

Prayer to Saint Cecilia

O glorious St. Cecilia, virgin and

martyr, you won the martyr's crown
without renouncing your love for
Jesus, the delight of your soul. We
ask that you help us to be faithful in
our love for Jesus, that, in the
communion of the saints, we may
praise Him twice in our song of
rejoicing for the Blood that He shed
which gave us the grace to accomplish
His will on earth.
Amen.
https://www.catholicfaithstore.com/daily-bread/prayers-saint-cecilia/